If the Police Come to My Home, Workplace, or School?
The police may come to your home, workplace, or school for several reasons. They may be investigating a crime, safety threat, pursuing a suspect, looking for a missing person or someone in need of protection, or may have received a complaint from the public.
All of the general rules of behavior for a stop on the street or in a car also apply when the police come to your home or office.
What To Do
- You may ask the police for appropriate identification, as well as for the reason for their visit.
- Unless the police have a warrant, you do not have to permit them entry to your home or office.
- If the police ask for your consent to enter or search your home or workplace, you do not have to consent. In a polite way, simply state that you do not consent to their entering or searching the premises.
- This may not stop their entry or search, but it will preserve your right to contest their actions in court.
- Again, remain calm, respectful, and compliant. Do not argue. Follow all instructions.
- Urge others to stay calm, respectful and compliant.
- If the police say they have an arrest or search warrant, you may ask to see it.
- Check to make sure the arrest warrant has the correct name.
- Check to make sure the search warrant has the correct address.
- Make sure you inform the officer before you make any movements so he/she has time to respond.
- Always keep your hands in clear view — where the officer can see them.
- Keep your hands open to avoid any concern that you might be about to strike the officer or are holding a weapon or illegal object.
- Try to maintain eye contact with the officer. Stay as relaxed as possible. Looking around, waving your arms or moving your feet can make officers feel that there is a risk to their safety or the safety of others.
- If you or others are smoking, the officer may ask you to put out your cigarette. You should comply with this request, as lit cigarettes have been used as a weapon, and the smoke may interfere with the officer’s ability see the area and to do his job.
- If requested, phones, television or music.
- If you have a dangerous medical condition or are ill, advise the officer immediately.
- To protect others in your home or office — as well as the officers — you should identify all individuals who may be on the premises.
- Identify any weapons or items that are stored on the premises that could pose a danger — even if you have a permit or they are legal.
- Advise the officers of any animals on the premises that the officers might see as a potential threat.
- Advise the officers of any object (such as a toy) that might be mistaken for a weapon.
- If answering questions, be truthful. Lying to the police can result in criminal charges.
What To Avoid
- Never give the officers a reason to believe that you are a threat to them, yourself, or others.
- Never give the police a reason to believe you might try to flee or destroy evidence.
- Never pretend not to hear police instructions.
- Do not argue with — or insult — the officers.
- Avoid making sudden or other movements.
- Do not interfere with police efforts to secure or search the premises.
Good To Know
- The police should only come to your home or office for a reason.
- They may be investigating a crime or responding to a complaint.
- They may have an arrest or search warrant.
- Even if they do not have a warrant, the police may have special (exigent or emergency) reasons to search your home or office. For example, if they are in fresh pursuit of a suspect, or if there is a threat to your safety or the loss of evidence.
- There may also be an issue of public safety, an ongoing crime, or locating a person in need of protection.
- If you are arrested in your home or office, the police can search you and the area immediately surrounding you or where evidence of criminal activity is in plain view.
- If the police have a search warrant, they can enter your home or office, even without your permission.
- The police may also ask for your consent to come inside or to search. You do not have to consent.
- The police may still have a basis to conduct the search, but you will have protected your rights.
- The police may have the right to secure your premises while they await a warrant from a judge.
- You also have the right to remain silent. That is true whether you’ve just been temporarily detained or formally arrested.
- You are not required to answer questions beyond giving basic identification. You can simply and politely say, “I choose not to answer that question.”
- It is helpful for you or others to remember officers’ names, badge numbers, patrol car numbers, and physical descriptions. This information may be helpful later for your defense or to file a complaint.
- The police, security cameras or bystanders may also be recording the event. Remember to behave accordingly.